The first step to finding a copy of les miserables best suited for your needs is deciding whether you want an abridged translation or unabridged translation. Im up to part iii andno surpriseits amazing so far. I probably only have one more full read through left in me. Each translation has its pros and cons but it mostly depends on what youre looking for. The first new penguin classics translation in forty years of vic. Head over to 5 minutes for mom to read more about it. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. I feel like ill get through it faster this time or would, if it. Jean valjean, after spending nineteen years in jail and in the galleys for stealing a loaf of bread and for several attempts to escape, is finally released, but his past keeps haunting him. Yes, im reading a translation published during my last readthrough.
A favorite of readers for nearly 150 years, this stirring tale of crime, punishment, justice, and redemption pulses with life. This time im reading a different translation, christine donoughers version published in 20, a. At digne, he is repeatedly refused shelter for the night. I know the various translations of les miserables were mentioned before on the thread about folios le of les mis, but the discussion focused more on whether an abridged translation was acceptable for an le. An antique les miserables edition or just a really ratty book. What made the experience of listening to les miserables.
Diane johnson a lively, dramatic, and wonderfully readable translation of one of the greatest 19thcentury novels. Les miserables, five volumes, complete by victor hugo. Introducing one of the most famous characters in literature, jean valjeanthe noble peasant imprisoned for stealing a loaf of breadles miserables ranks among the greatest novels of all time. Probably every literate person in the world, for that matter. So long as there shall exist, by virtue of law and custom, decrees of damnation pronounced by society, artificially creating hells amid the civilization of earth, and adding the element of human fate to divine destiny.
That will be the denny translation, not only because i think the translation is excellent, but because i can enjoy reading my le version. Buffalo news editors choice vibrant and readable, idiomatic and well suited to a long narrative, julie roses new translation of les miserables. Im holding a copy of the penguin deluxe edition in my hand with les miserables as the title. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read les miserables fully illustrated unabridged hapgood translation. Donoughers translation is a magnificent achievement. Only three years after the original run closed, les miserables began a return to broadway on 9 november 2006 at the broadhurst theatre for a limited run that was subsequently made openended. In the englishspeaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original french title. Im glad to see so many young people drawn to the book via the musical or the. Translated by julie rose introduction by adam gopnik in this major new rendition by the acclaimed translator julie rose, victor hugos les. I cant say what makes a book translatable, but i do think that all texts can be translated. Les miserables by victor hugo goodreads share book. Translated by julie rose introduction by adam gopnik in this major new rendition by the acclaimed translator julie rose, victor hugos les miserables is revealed in its full, unabridged glory. Im at the point where valjean is about to steal the silver spoilers. I am looking for the best translation of these three works.
Its pretty easy to read as some of the longer tangents and entire sections are moved or deleted as t. Just to further explain which copy we bought, since all of the les mis books. Les miserables, by victor hugo tome i fantine first booka just man chapter i mr. Jacketed it has been said that victor hugo has a street named after him in virtually every town in france. As the bishop was rather short of stature, he could not reach it. Christine donoughers translation reads very smoothly. Wilbour created the first english translation of les miserables in. My sister got it at a garage sale in gig harbor, washington, and unfortunately, volume 1 was nowhere to be found. May 04, 2017 i recently started reading les miserables. I would prefer a translation that is actually readable. Myriel had to suffer the same fate as every new arrival in a small town where there are a lot of mouths that talk and very few heads that think.
Having read les miserables twice in the last five years the denny and rose translations, i am not sure i have the stamina to try a new one. You can also read the full text online using our ereader. Jul 11, 2008 les miserables, as interpreted by the rsc. Dominic west, david oyewolo, lily collins and olivia colman star in an epic adaption of les miserables on masterpiece on pbs. He had to suffer it even though he was a bishop as.
I could write pages upon pages about les miserables but i dont think theres any. I guess every english speaking person knows what les miz means. A potent social document of the poverty, ignorance, and brutality of man, les miserables is also a rousing adventure story, famous for such unrivaled scenes as the brilliant depiction of the battle of waterloo. Grandson and grandfather in victor hugos les miserables. Buy les miserables classics by hugo, victor, denny, norman, denny, norman, denny, norman from amazons fiction books store. Comparing three translations of les miserables gently hew stone. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more.
In the case of les miserables it was eminently worth it. Amazon does a completely miserable job of attempting to sell this version. My greatness grandeur does not reach as far as that shelf. Best english translations of victor hugos les miserables owlcation. The first translation i read was norman dennys 1976.
The first new penguin classics translation in forty years of victor hugos masterpiece, the subject of the novel of the. When you read a book, especially a book like les miserables, which is. Les miserables the queens theatre, londres jusquau 26 fevrier 2011. Jan 14, 2018 as i mentioned last time, ive picked up a new translation of les miserables, the 20 donougher translation. The friends of the abcs are goobers, funny funny goobers marius bangs his head against a tree for. I wish i had this translation the first time i read it. Les miserables fully illustrated unabridged hapgood translation ebook written by victor hugo. Plus dinformations sur les miserables reservez maintenant.
A favorite of readers for nearly 150 years, and the basis for one of the most beloved stage musicals ever, this stirring tale of crime, punishment, justice, and redemption pulses with life and energy. Les miserables book by victor hugo official publisher. I researched translations and couldnt find one that stood out, so i figured id just try the old original standard translation from the 19th century, the wilbour translation. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Les miserables translations folio society devotees. Translated by julie roseintroduction by adam gopnik in this major new rendition by the acclaimed translator julie rose, victor hugos les miserables is revealed in its full, unabridged glory. Best translations of les miserables by victor hugo. I also read his les miserables again, that is 21 years after i read it for the first time in my high school in france, and i was surprised to see how. But if you are willing to put in a little effort and time to experience a book rather than simply read it, traversing language and history, and being transported to victor hugos france, the unabridged les mis is absolutely wonderful.
Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. A major reason for the singular celebrity of this most popular and versatile of the great french writers is les miserables 1862. Victor hugos original work includes several hundred of pages detailing things such as convent life, the history of the paris sewer system, and a lengthy account of the battle of waterloo, which took place before the main time frame of the. We promise you will see extraordinary quality and attention to detail on every page and enjoy these features. Les miserables original lobby cards x15 directed by robert hossein with lino ventura. The book is given its epic scope by the wealth of historical detail and meandering political rhapsodizing. Featuring such unforgettable characters as the quintessential prisoner of. The way in which i was first introduced to the incredible book and stage production makes for one of my favorite stories to tell. I havent read the new julie rose translation, but ive heard some. Les miserables fully illustrated unabridged hapgood. Les miserables a new unabridged translation victor hugo. The effort was in pulling myself away from the novels. Jul 20, 2012 having read les miserables twice in the last five years the denny and rose translations, i am not sure i have the stamina to try a new one.
It is impossible to finish without your heart being tugged and moved. In this story of the trials of the peasant jean valjeana man unjustly imprisoned, baffled by destiny, and hounded by his nemesis. One day he rose from his armchair, and went to his library in search of a book. The great translator of spanish language literature, edith grossman, said. A new translation by christine donougher christine donoughers new translation is brilliant. As much a history or commentary as a work of fiction, les miserables is dominated by frances past. First impressions of the donougher transalation reading. The first new penguin classics translation in forty years of victor hugos masterpiece, the subject of the novel of the century by david bellospublished in a stunning deluxe edition. Comparing three translations of les miserables gently. Reading les mis in 2018 is a bit different than reading it in 20. New translation of les miserables folio society devotees. It is not my book so i will need to return the book to a friend but so far i like it quite well. A brilliant modern translation by christine donougher of victor hugos thrilling. Les miserables a new unabridged translation hugo victor.
Best translations of les miserables by victor hugo, petersburg by andrei bely, and arthur rimbauds complete works. But if you are willing to put in a little effort and time to experience a book rather than simply read it, traversing language and history, and being transported to victor hugos france. Les miserables is known as one of the cornerstones of european literaturei dont think anybody will dispute that. That knocked me for a loop, until i got into the swing of things, and treated each new. Best english translations of victor hugos les miserables. It was even translated into various languages including greek, italian and portuguese.
First impressions of the donougher transalation reading les mis. Vibrant and readable, idiomatic and well suited to a long narrative, julie roses new translation of les miserables is closer to the captivating tone hugo would have struck for his own contemporaries. A new translation by julie rose of hugos behemoth classic that is as racy and current and utterly arresting as it should be. I recommend the wilbour translation or the dennys translation. Jan, 2018 ive been thinking for a while about picking up les miserables again, and five years after my last reread seems like a good time to do it. If you are going to spend time reading over pages of amazing story, this is the translation to read first. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. If you simply want a narrative about jean valjean, read the abridged in a newer translation. It was kind of clunky, so i wouldnt recommend that one. In it, victor hugo takes readers deep into the parisian underworld, immerses them in a battle between good and evil, and carries them to the.
It reads easily, sometimes racily, and hugos narrative power is never let down. We earnestly believe this to be the finest electronic edition of hugos masterpiece ever published at any price. You may think that 1,300 pages is a huge investment of. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read les miserables. The first time i read the book was when i was less than eight years old. Les miserables tells the story of exconvict, jean valjean, and his valiant struggle to redeem his past. I could only understand the part about little cosette, but that chapter really got me xinran financial times i sobbed and wailed and thought books were the greatest things susan sontag one of the finest french romantic writers guardian this new translation. Les miserables penguin classics hugo, victor, denny, norman, denny, norman. Les miserables, the unabridged, is one of my favorite stories. I believe the abridged version, which i read in high school a long time ago, was the old wilbour translation. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. The translation is clear and easy to follow, with poetry translated in the footnotes so as not to ruin the beauty of the original. I havent read the new julie rose translation, but ive heard some folks say that she plays fast and loose with her translating, almost making an mtv version out of the novel. Only the saintly bishop, monseigneur myriel, welcomes him.
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